Speech #440012246

They are. first. the enemies of the United States in Germany. I do not charge this class as being governed by any improper or unpatriotic feeling . indeed. I might rather class them as the zealons fijends of their own country . they see and know that this treaty has operated powerfully as a premium upon emigration from their country. and. feeling that this drain ulon their most useful populatioin seriously impairs the strength of the empire. they are disposed to arrest it. The second class who are hostile to this treaty are those who have enigrated here with no botafide purpose or intent of contributing to the growth or promoting the advancement of our country. and who remain here only long enough to acquire citizenship in our country. mid then expect to return to their native laind to live the balance of their lives free from the obligations that would otherwise attach to them as citizens of their original country. It was to guard against this abuse of our law of naturalization that one of the provisions to which I have before referred was itiserted in this treaty. It is they who principally want it terminated. for it oproses al invincible obstacle to the gratification of their selfish views. Iti a prevision eniftiently just to the German government..just to ourselves. just to that honest class of our naturalized citizens who place a proper value upon American citizenship and are disposed to conform to the true spirit of the treaty. Whatever is valuable will have its counterfeit. It is therefore not surprising that our naturalization laws should he resorted to for selfish al unworthy purposes. It is indeed a high and glorious privilege to be an American citizen. to fuel that you are part and parcel of a great Republic which commands the admiration and respect alike of the civilized and barbarian world. There is not now a power on earth that does not acknowledge our greatness and solicit our friendship.